23 is one of the most famous jersey numbers in basketball. Legends from all walks of life have worn it. Michael Jordan made it famous, setting an example for many players after him, such as LeBron James and the Minnesota Lynx. I just retired Maya Moore’s jersey with the same number.
It’s a number that many young players want to wear to honor the greats who came before them. Magic rookie Tristan da Silva will continue that tradition by choosing 23 as his number in Orlando, just like he did in college. The number doesn’t have a long history in Orlando, and da Silva has a chance to make it his own.
Tristan da Silva is the Magic’s latest first-round pick. He may not have the makings of an NBA star, but da Silva appears to be a solid role player ready to contribute soon. That’s exactly what the Magic were looking for when they drafted him. Orlando needs someone who can provide depth up front, 3-point shooting, and solid defense. He won’t play a huge role right away, but could make a real difference in the Magic’s playoff race.
Jordan Bone, a second-round pick, struggled to find his feet in the NBA. He played only 24 NBA games, including 14 with the Magic. During that time, he wore No. 23.
After going undrafted in 2019, Vic Law played 8 NBA games. The only team he played for was the Orlando Magic. He has since played overseas.
CJ Wilcox played for two different NBA teams: the Los Angeles Clippers and the Orlando Magic. With the Magic, he wore number 23 for 22 games.
Mario Hezonja joined the Magic as the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. In his first season, he wore the No. 23 overall pick before switching to No. 8 for the remainder of his Magic career. Hezonja’s game never really translated to the NBA, especially not to the level expected of a fifth overall pick, and he only played five seasons in the league.
Two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson was traded to the Magic in December 2010 and became the first Magic player in a decade to wear No. 23. Over two seasons, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Johnny Taylor played for the Magic twice, first in the 1997-98 season and then in the 1999-2000 season. He only wore number 23 the second time he played for the Magic, playing in five games. This also marked the end of his NBA career. After playing for the Magic for the second time, Taylor moved overseas and eventually became an assistant coach with the Osceola Magic.
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